Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body mass index, or BMI, is a new term to most people. However, it is the measurement of choice for many physicians and researchers studying obesity. BMI uses a mathematical formula that takes into account both a person's height and weight. BMI equals a person's weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. (BMI=kg/m2).

It is important to understand what "healthy weight" means. Healthy weight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 19 and less than 25 among all people aged 20 or over. Generally, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30, which approximates 30 pounds of excess weight. Excess weight also places people at risk of developing
serious health problems.

The table below has already done the math and metric conversions. To use the table, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column. Move across the row to the given weight. The number at the top of the column is the BMI for that height and weight.

BMI
(kg/m2)

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

35

40

Height
(in.)

Weight
(lb.)

58

91

96

100

105

110

115

119

124

129

134

138

143

167

191

59

94

99

104

109

114

119

124

128

133

138

143

148

173

198

60

97

102

107

112

118

123

128

133

138

143

148

153

179

204

61

100

106

111

116

122

127

132

137

143

148

153

158

185

211

62

104

109

115

120

126

131

136

142

147

153

158

164

191

218

63

107

113

118

124

130

135

141

146

152

158

163

169

197

225

64

110

116

122

128

134

140

145

151

157

163

169

174

204

232

65

114

120

126

132

138

144

150

156

162

168

174

180

210

240

66

118

124

130

136

142

148

155

161

167

173

179

186

216

247

67

121

127

134

140

146

153

159

166

172

178

185

191

223

255

68

125

131

138

144

151

158

164

171

177

184

190

197

230

262

69

128

135

142

149

155

162

169

176

182

189

196

203

236

270

70

132

139

146

153

160

167

174

181

188

195

202

207

243

278

71

136

143

150

157

165

172

179

186

193

200

208

215

250

286

72

140

147

154

162

169

177

184

191

199

206

213

221

258

294

73

144

151

159

166

174

182

189

197

204

212

219

227

265

302

74

148

155

163

171

179

186

194

202

210

218

225

233

272

311

75

152

160

168

176

184

192

200

208

216

224

232

240

279

319

76

156

164

172

180

189

197

205

213

221

230

238

246

287

328

Body weight in pounds according to height and body mass index.

Below is a table identifying the risk of associated disease according to BMI and waist size.

BMI

Category

Waist less than or equal to
40 in. (men) or 35 in. (women)

Waist greater than 40 in.
(men) or 35 in. (women)

18.5 or less

Underweight

N/A

N/A

18.5 - 24.9

Normal

N/A

N/A

25.0 - 29.9

Overweight

Increased

High

30.0 - 34.9

Obese

High

Very High

35.0 - 39.9

Obese

Very High

Very High

40 or greater

Extremely Obese

Extremely High

Extremely High

Portions of the above information has been provided with the kind permission of the Partnership for Healthy Weight Management, www.consumer.gov)Last Editorial Review: 5/8/2007